Interspecific tree named &#39;Flavor Fusion&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of interspecific tree. The following features of the tree and its fruit are characterized with the tree budded on ‘Nemaguard’ Rootstock (non-patented), grown on Handford sandy loam soil with Storie Index rating 95, in USDA Hardiness Zone 9, near Modesto, Calif., with standard commercial fruit growing practices, such as pruning, thinning, spraying, irrigation and fertilization. Its novelty consist of the following combination of desirable features:
         1. Vigorous, upright tree growth.   2. Heavy and regular bearer of fruit.   3. Fruit with very good flavor and eating quality.   4. Fruit with attractive red skin color.   5. Fruit with good handling and shipping quality.

BOTANICAL CLASSIFICATION

Interspecific Prunus species

BACKGROUND OF THE VARIETY

1. Field of the Invention

In the field of plant genetics, we conduct an extensive and continuing plant-breeding program including the organization and asexual reproduction of orchard trees, and of which plums, peaches, nectarines, apricots, cherries, almonds and interspecifics are exemplary. It was against this background of our activities that the present variety of interspecific tree was originated and asexually reproduced by us in our experimental orchard located near Modesto, Stanislaus County, Calif.

2. Prior Varieties

Among the existing varieties of proprietary interspecifics and apricot trees, which are known to us, and mentioned herein, 19M42, 326LC131, 43GK21, 31Z635, 38GH76, 20Z62, 4G1180 and the Interspecific ‘Bella Sun’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 21,817).

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

The new and distinct variety of interspecific tree was originated by us from crosses between the following species [Prunus salicina×(Prunus salicina×Prunus armeniaca) and Prunus armeniaca]. The present variety is a first generation cross between the proprietary interspecific seedling with the field identification number ‘19M42’ and ‘Bella Sun’ Interspecific (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 21,817). The seed parent (19M42) was developed by us from crosses of the following proprietary interspecific seedling selections 326LC131, 43GK21, 20Z62, 31Z635, 38GH71 and 4G1180. We budded a large number of these seedlings to older trees of ‘Nemaguard’ Rootstock (non-patented) to induce earlier fruit production for evaluation. Under close and careful observation, one seedling, which is the present variety exhibited desirable fruit and tree characteristics and was selected in 2007 for additional asexual propagation and commercialization.

ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION OF THE VARIETY

Asexual reproduction of the new and distinct variety of interspecific tree was by budding to ‘Nemaguard’ Rootstock (non-patented), as performed by us in our experimental orchard located near Modesto, Calif., and shows that reproductions run true to the original tree and all characteristics of the tree and its fruit are established and transmitted through succeeding asexual propagations.

SUMMARY OF THE NEW VARIETY

The new and distinct variety of interspecific tree, which includes plums, plumcots and apricots in its parentage, is of large size, vigorous upright growth and a productive and regular bearer of medium to large size fruit with very good flavor and eating quality. The fruit is further characterized by having attractive red skin, firm, red flesh and having good storage and shipping quality. In comparison to its seed parent (19M42) the fruit of the new variety has darker red skin color and is 12 days earlier in maturity. In comparison to its pollen parent ‘Bella Sun’ Interspecific (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 21,817) the fruit of the new variety has red skin and flesh color, compared to yellow and has glabrous skin compared to pubescent. In comparison to the commercial Interspecific ‘Amigo I’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 20,165) the fruit of the new variety has red flesh compared to yellow and red flesh, is larger in size and is 8 days earlier in maturity.

PHOTOGRAPH OF THE VARIETY

The accompanying color photographic illustration shows typical specimens of the foliage and fruit of the present new interspecific variety. The illustration shows the upper and lower surface of the leaves, an exterior and sectional view of a single fruit divided in its suture plane to show flesh color, pit cavity and the stone remaining in place. The photographic illustration was taken shortly after being picked (shipping ripe) from a 6 year old tree and the colors are as nearly true as is reasonably possible in a color representation of this type.

DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIETY

The following is a detailed botanical description of the new variety of interspecific tree, its flowers, foliage and fruit, as based on observations of 6 year old specimens grown near Modesto, Calif., with color in accordance with Munsell Book of Color.

-   Tree:     -   -   Size.—Large, pruned to 3 to 3.5 meters in height and width             for economical harvesting of fruit.         -   Vigor.—Vigorous, tree growth of approximately 1.5 to 2             meters the first growing season, varies with soil type,             fertility and cultural practices.         -   Form.—Upright, usually pruned to vase shape.         -   Branching habit.—Upright, crotch angle approximately 40°,             increases with heavy crop load.         -   Productivity.—Productive, thinning and spacing necessary for             desirable market size. Fruit set varies with climatic             conditions at bloom time.         -   Bearer.—Regular, adequate fruit set 4 consecutive years. No             alternate bearing observed.         -   Fertility.—Self-sterile, pollinator required.         -   Density.—Medium dense, usually pruned to vase shape to             increase sunlight to center of tree to enhance fruit color             and health of fruit spurs.         -   Hardiness.—Hardy in all stone fruit growing areas of             California. Tree grown in USDA Hardiness Zone 9. Winter             chilling requirement approximately 650 hours at or below 45°             F. -   Trunk:     -   -   Size.—Medium to large. Average circumference 52.1 cm at 25.4             cm above ground on a 6 year old tree.         -   Stocky.—Medium stocky.         -   Texture.—Medium shaggy, roughness increases with age.         -   Color.—Varies from 7.5YR 6/2 to 10YR 4/2. -   Branches:     -   -   Size.—Medium. Average circumference 11.4 cm at 1.2 meters             above the ground. Crotch angle approximately 40°, increases             with heavy crop load.         -   Surface texture.—New growth relatively smooth. Mature growth             medium rough, roughness increases with age.         -   Lenticels.—Size — medium. Average number 97 in a 25.8 sq cm             section. Average length 2.2 mm. Average width 1.4 mm. Color             varies from 7.5YR 4/8 to 10YR 5/8.         -   Color.—New growth varies from 5GY 5/8 with 5R 2/6 where             exposed to the sun. Old growth varies from 5YR 2/4 to 5YR             5/2, varies with age of growth. -   Leaves:     -   -   Size.—Medium. Average length 107.4 mm. Average width 58.2             mm.         -   Form.—Oblanceolate.         -   Apex.—Acuminate.         -   Base.—Cuneate.         -   Margin.—Doubly serrate.         -   Thickness.—Medium.         -   Surface texture.—Upper surface relatively smooth, slight             indentations over midrib and leaf veins, glabrous. Lower             surface relatively smooth, except for small ridges created             by midrib and pinnate venation, glabrous.         -   Petiole.—Medium length. Average length 13.6 mm. Average             width 1.9 mm. Longitudinally grooved. Surface — glabrous.             Color varies from 5GY 5/8 with 7.5R 3/4 where exposed to             sun.         -   Glands.—Type — globose. Size — small. Average length 0.9 mm.             Average diameter 0.6 mm. Average number 4, varies from 1             to 8. Located on base of the leaf blade and upper portion of             the petiole. Color varies from 10Y 6/6 to 2.5GY 6/6.         -   Stipules.—Average number 1. Average length. 10.6 mm. Edges —             serrulate. Color varies from 2.5GY 7/6 to 5GY 7/6.         -   Color.—Upper surface varies from 5GY 4/8 to 5GY 3/6. Lower             surface varies from 5GY 4/4 to 7.5GY 4/4. Midvein color             varies from 2.5GY 6/6 to 5GY 7/6. -   Flower buds:     -   -   Size.—Small to medium. Average length 8.0 mm. Average             diameter 5.0 mm.         -   Hardiness.—Hardy with respect to California winters.         -   Form.—Conical, becoming elongated before opening.         -   Pedicel.—Average length 10.7 mm. Averaged width 0.8 mm.             Color varies from 2.5GY 7/6 to 2.5GY 7/8. Surface —             glabrous.         -   Color.—N 9.5/ (white).         -   Number of buds per spur.—Average number 11, varies with age             of spur. -   Flowers:     -   -   Blooming period.—Date of First Bloom Feb. 22, 2010. Date of             Petal Fall Mar. 4, 2010, varies slightly with climatic             conditions.         -   Size.—Small. Average height 10.6 mm. Average diameter 16.6             mm.         -   Petals.—Size — small. Number — normally 5, alternately             arranged to sepals. Average length 9.3 mm. Average width             6.7 mm. Form — orbicular to slightly elliptical. Margin —             sinuate. Color — N 9.5/ (white). Both surfaces glabrous.         -   Sepals.—Size — small. Number — normally 5, alternately             arranged to petals. Average length 2.6 mm. Average width             2.7 mm. Form — triangular. Margin — entire. Color — upper             surface varies from 2.5GY 6/8 to 5GY 6/8. Lower surface             varies from 5GY 6/6 to 5GY 5/6. Both upper and lower surface             glabrous.         -   Stamens.—Average number per flower 25. Average filament             length 7.3 mm. Filament color N 9.5/ (white). Anther color             5Y 8/10.         -   Pollen.—Self sterile, pollinator required. Color varies from             5Y 7/10 to 5Y 7/12.         -   Pistil.—Normally one. Surface — glabrous. Average length             8.9 mm. Stigma height approximately 0.9 mm below anthers.             Color varies from 10Y 8/8 to 2.5GY 8/6.         -   Fragrance.—Heavy aroma.         -   Color.—N 9.5/ (white).         -   Number flowers per flower bud.—Average number 2, varies from             1 to 4.         -   Pedicel.—Average length 12.4 mm. Average width 0.8 mm. Color             varies from 2.5GY 6/6 to 2.5GY 6/8. Surface — glabrous. -   Fruit: Maturity when described: Firm ripe.     -   -   Date of first picking.—Jun. 7, 2010.         -   Date of last picking.—Jun. 15, 2010, varies slightly with             climatic conditions.         -   Size.—Medium to large. Average diameter axially 54.3 mm.             Average transversely in suture plane 60.1 mm. Average weight             127.8 grams, varies slightly with fertility of the soil,             amount of thinning and climatic conditions.         -   Form.—Globose.         -   Suture.—Nearly smooth, extends from base to apex.         -   Ventral surface.—Very slightly lipped.         -   Apex.—Rounded.         -   Base.—Flat to slightly retuse.         -   Stem cavity.—Rounded to slightly elongated in suture plane.             Average depth 5.1 mm. Average diameter 6.6 mm. -   Stem:     -   -   Size.—Medium to large. Average length 16.8 mm. Average             diameter 1.7 mm.         -   Color.—Varies from 5GY 5/6 to 5GY 5/8. -   Flesh:     -   -   Ripens.—Evenly.         -   Texture.—Firm, meaty.         -   Fibers.—Few, small, tender.         -   Firmness.—Firm, comparable to other commercial interspecific             varieties.         -   Aroma.—Moderate.         -   Amydgalin.—Undetected.         -   Eating quality.—Very good.         -   Flavor.—Very good, good balance between acid and sugar.         -   Juice.—Moderate amount, enhances flavor.         -   Brix.—Average 11.7°, varies slightly with amount of fruit             per tree and climatic conditions.         -   Color.—Varies from 5R 4/2 to 7.5R 4/10. Stone cavity varies             from 7.5R 3/8 to 7.5R 3/10. -   Skin:     -   -   Thickness.—Medium.         -   Surface.—Smooth.         -   Bloom.—Moderate amount, complete coverage.         -   Tendency to crack.—None.         -   Color.—Ground color varies from 7.5Y 9/4 to 10Y 7/4.             Overspread with 7.5R 3/10 to 7.5R 2/8.         -   Tenacity.—Tenacious to flesh.         -   Astringency.—Undetected. -   Stone:     -   -   Type.—Clingstone.         -   Size.—Medium. Average length 25.1 mm. Average width 19.8 mm.             Average thickness 9.9 mm.         -   Form.—Ovoid.         -   Base.—Relatively flat, varies from flat to rounded.         -   Apex.—Pointed. Average length 2.3 mm.         -   Surface.—Slightly pitted throughout. A small groove on each             side of suture.         -   Sides.—Unequal, one side extended further from suture plane.         -   Ridges.—Small narrow ridges extending from base to apex.         -   Tendency to split.—None.         -   Color.—Varies from 7.5YR 6/6 to 7.5YR 5/8 when dry. -   Kernel:     -   -   Size.—Small to medium. Average length 12.8 mm. Average width             9.2 mm. Average depth 4.9 mm.         -   Form.—Ovate.         -   Viability.—Partially viable, some embryos not fully             developed.         -   Skin.—Color varies from 10YR 6/8 to 2.5Y 8.5/4. -   Use: Dessert.     -   -   Market.—local and long distance. -   Keeping quality: Good, held firm in cold storage for 2 weeks at 38°     to 42° F. without shriveling, internal breakdown of flesh or     appreciable loss of eating quality. -   Shipping quality: Good, showed minimal skin scarring or flesh     bruising during picking, packing and shipping trials. -   Plant/fruit disease resistance/susceptibility: No specific testing     for relative plant/fruit disease resistance/susceptibility has been     designed. Under close observation during planting, growing, and     harvesting of fruit, under normal cultural and growing conditions     near Modesto, Calif., no particular plant/fruit disease resistance     or susceptibility has been observed. Any variety or selection     observed during indexing of plant characteristics with abnormal     fungus, bacterial, virus or insect susceptibility is destroyed and     eliminated from our breeding program.

The present new variety of interspecific tree, its flowers, foliage and fruit herein described may vary in slight detail due to climate, soil conditions and cultural practices under which the variety may be grown. The present description is that of the variety grown under the ecological conditions prevailing near Modesto, Calif. 

1. A new and distinct variety of interspecific tree, substantially as illustrated and described. 